Causes

Hantavirus is caused by a virus. It is transmitted when a person comes into contact with rodents that are infected with the virus, or infected rodents' urine or droppings. In the United States, the deer mouse is the rodent most likely to carry hantavirus infection. Hantavirus infection cannot be passed between humans.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of hantavirus infection include:

Living near a forest

Seeing rodents in your home

Having rodents present in a work environment

Symptoms

Hantavirus infection may cause:

Fever

Deep muscle aches

Severe shortness of breath

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for hantavirus infection. Treatment will focus on treating your symptoms, providing breathing support, and making you comfortable.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hantavirus infection is to control rodent infestation in and around your home. This involves sealing rodent entry holes or gaps with steel wool, lath metal, or caulk, trapping rodents using snap traps, and cleaning rodent food sources and nesting sites. In addition, take the following precautions when cleaning rodent-infested areas:

Wear rubber, latex, vinyl, or nitrile gloves.

Do not vacuum or sweep the area, since this may cause the virus to get into the air.

Spaces to be cleaned should be ventilated with fresh air by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes. Leave the area during this airing-out period.

When everything is wet, remove contaminated materials with a damp towel before mopping or sponging the area with the bleach solution or disinfectant.

Disinfect gloves with disinfectant or soap and water before taking them off. Then, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water or a waterless alcohol-based rub (such as hand sanitizer) if soap is not available.

Spray dead rodents with disinfectant and double-bag them with all cleaning materials.

More extensive protection should be used by during clean-up of heavy rodent infestations including coveralls (disposable, if possible), rubber boots or disposable shoe covers, protective goggles, rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves, goggles, and an appropriate respiratory protection device.

It is helpful to be aware of activities that may put you in contact with infected mice, their droppings, and their urine. This may include returning tools to sheds, caring for animals in barns, and sweeping or cleaning building spaces. Farm workers may also be at risk from deer mouse bites. While common house mice have not proven to be major carriers of the virus, deer mice are often found in park areas, even within cities. Follow the precautions above when entering spaces that may be contaminated.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.